Bad weather photography tips

Okay lets start by dispelling a myth. Photographers don’t melt if they get wet. If the weather looks frightful to others photographers know it often means exceptional photographs. In extreme weather you will need to take care of your equipment and potentially yourself but if it’s safe for you to be outside it’s possible to take photographs. Fortunately it can be very easy to look after your equipment and yourself. You’ll find bad weather photography tips are fairly simple to understand and implement.

 

Fog

Fog is the easiest weather to deal with. Neither you nor your equipment will need any special care. It is a good idea to have some protection if the weather turns from fog to rain but in general fog isn’t a problem.

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Ice and snow

Ice and snow on the other hand can be a bit more problematic.  Not so much because of the snow but because of the cold temperatures.  Batteries aren’t big fans of cold weather. The colder the weather the shorter the battery life. Assuming your camera takes replaceable batteries the simple trick is to carry a second or even third battery with you.  Keep these batteries in an internal pocket. By having the battery near your body  your own body heat will keep the battery warm. If you end up changing batteries put the now cold battery into that warm pocket. Once it warms up it’ll likely give you many more photographs.

The snow itself isn’t a huge issue. If you keep a cloth or towel in your bag just wipe it off. But the cold and dry air will become an issue once you return to your warm hotel room. Cold metal and glass will result in the room moisture condensing on your camera. Electronics don’t like moisture but neither does glass. Fortunately it’s relatively easy to deal with this. BEFORE returning to your hotel place your equipment in a closed plastic bag. Camera and lenses. The bag doesn’t need to be fancy or expensive. A grocery store bag will work here. Just close it up tight and leave the bundle inside your sealed camera bag or backpack.  Once the camera has warmed up to room temperature the risk will have passed.

 

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RAIN!

Okay the hard part. Rain represents the most problematic type of weather. Any bad weather photography tips risk tripping up on rain. Expensive professional cameras are built to handle some rain. So are professional lenses. But most consumer grade equipment will be destroyed by any moisture.  You need to protect your equipment in addition to yourself.

Your first level of protection is going to be your backpack or camera bag. If the weather is frightful don’t skimp. A flimsy bag will first let the moisture in then it’ll trap it near your equipment.  A double betrayal.

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Okay you have your gear safely tucked into it’s backpack. Not much use in there is it? You’ll want to take the camera out every so often to take a photograph. Fortunately this is cheaper.  Make sure the cover you get is the right size for both your camera and lens. If you’re actually using a flash then the cover will need to be big enough for that.

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If you’re carrying a backpack or other larger camera bag use the space for a towel or rag. Include a few plastic bags. Heavy duty garbage bags may not be pretty but they can save you. The towel will let you wipe off surface moisture so it doesn’t just soak into things. Even if your camera is waterproof you don’t want your pack getting moldy. The garbage bag means if that light mist turns into a torrential downpour you can cover your pack for add protection. You can even cut a neck hole into and use it like rain poncho.  The fashion police won’t approve but you’ll be dry. Obviously you could actually bring a light weight rain coat but the garbage bag will cover up more then your person.

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It’s a grey world

If the weather is grey and dreary don’t think this is a problem. Instead think black and white. For those of us that grew up with B&W film this isn’t a huge problem. For those that are new to a monochromatic world it may be a surprise to learn that an absence of colour can communicate no less than an explosion of colour.

 

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A final couple of bad weather photography tips plan and embrace the weather. . Bad weather shouldn’t be a surprise. Bad weather on your vacation

 

Real heart of Venice Italy

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